Client Solihull College
Contractor Colas
DRIVE
Proven
performance
SOLIHULL COLLEGE, BIRMINGHAM
The challenge
Solihull College needed to increase
parking capacity for students
and staff at their Blossomfield
Campus and commissioned a
new 5,500m2 car park. Local
planning guidelines encouraged a
sustainable approach to drainage
to avoid excessive run-off into
the local catchment. It would
be used throughout the year,
so there was also a requirement
to avoid standing water during
heavy rain. As it would be in
frequent use by large numbers
of staff and students, the chosen
surfacing needed to provide
long termdurability with minimal
maintenance requirement.
For more details visit: tarmac.com/ultidriveporous
TARMAC.COM
Completion
Our solution
After discussions with the main
contractor, Tarmac’s experienced
team recommended ULTIDRIVE
POROUS, their specialist porous
asphalt car park surface. The
chosen solution was a 10mm
ULTIDRIVE POROUS surface
course laid at 30mm depth, over a
32mm ULTIDRIVE POROUS base/
binder course laid at a depth of
100mm. Using a modified binder
and open aggregate structure,
ULTIDRIVE POROUS combines
excellent drainage characteristics
with long term durability. It
reduces direct surface water
run-off to help meet planning
requirements. It also eliminates the
problem of both standing water
after heavy rain and ice patches
that can occur in cold weather
conditions.
‘Tarmac’ and the ‘circle logo’ are registered trademarks.
November 2017
Results and benefits
Around 380 tonnes of ULTIDRIVE
POROUS surface course and
1300 tonnes of binder course was
supplied.It was laid by Tarmac
Contracting over five days during
early November. The product
performed well on site, withthe
modified binder helping to
maintain workability and achieve
the correct level of compaction.
The smooth, even finish met the
client’s requirement for a safe,
low maintenance, all weather
surface.”The material does what
it says on the tin in relation to the
instant absorption of any water
that comes into contact with the
new surface. It drains instantly
leaving no puddles and that in
turn stops any chances of freezing
water causing slip hazards in the
winter months for the footfall of
students using this educational
centre” Andy James, Colas
Midlands Contracting
Building our future
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